Saturday, March 8, 2025

A Reflection for Women’s Day (727 words)

I often see an old beggar woman sitting in the same spot along the busy main road near my home. Her position is constant, though she moves to the other side of the road in the evening to escape the harsh rays of the sun. She must be around seventy, though her frail figure suggests she could be much older. Emaciated and shriveled, with hair that hasn’t seen oil in years, she crouches silently on a torn mat with a tattered bed sheet underneath. Her dimmed vision and leprosy-ravaged fingers make her a pitiable sight, yet she never pleads for alms. Despite her miserable condition, she exudes an innate dignity that transcends her poor circumstances.

It struck me that dignity isn’t associated with wealth or status. Even a beggar can hold her head high, while the rich may act without grace. Coins tossed onto her worn newspaper spread opposite her and were gathered with trembling fingers and dropped into a rusty tin box. There was never a desperate plea for alms —just the silent acceptance of what came her way. Even in her hardship, her quiet strength touched me.

One day, I saw her completely drenched in a sudden downpour, sitting there unmoving, without seeking any shelter. The next morning, I brought her an old unused umbrella to give her shelter from both rain and sun. She accepted it coolly and uttered no words to thank me but only lifted her head with what might have been a smile or acknowledgement. Every time I passed her corner, I made it a habit to leave a coin. Somehow, she always seemed to sense my approach from my steps, raising her head in gratitude. It amazed me how the body compensates when some faculties are lost—her awareness was sharp, her hearing keen.

Moved by her sorry plight, I asked my wife if she could spare a few saris for her. Without the slightest hesitation, my wife gave me several, and I eagerly set off to give them. But, to my disappointment, the beggar woman was not in her usual spot. Days passed, and she remained absent, filling me with concern. I feared she might have fallen ill or met with an accident. When she finally reappeared, there was great relief, and I rushed home to collect the saris.

“I’ve been looking for you,” I told her as I gave her the saris. Her eyes widened, and she said, “Sami (Sir), I don’t need more than two. I have no place to keep them. I sleep on the platform, and this small bag contains all I own. One spare is enough.”

As I hesitated, she added softly, “You will see on my left, a young woman sitting nearby. She’s an orphan; her mother passed away recently, and she’s left with nothing. She is troubled by wicked men when night falls, and she comes to me for protection. Daily, I stay awake to keep her safe and shout them away. Please, give her the other saris, and if you can, I would beg you to find her a secure place. I will be forever indebted to you.”

Her words left me speechless. Here was a woman with nothing, yet her concern was for someone else—an orphan, vulnerable and alone. In that moment, I realized true wealth isn’t measured by what we possess but by the kindness we extend to others. Her generosity and compassion far exceeded my own. This frail beggar woman, with barely enough for herself, stood taller and richer in spirit than I could ever hope to be.

That day was Women’s Day. How fitting, yet ironic, that it was a destitute beggar woman who embodied the strength and compassion we celebrate in women. She reminded me of the famous quote: “A bone to a dog is not charity. Charity is the bone shared with the dog when you are just as hungry as the dog.”

On Women’s Day, we often honour our women in positions of power and influence, but let us not forget those women who, in their quiet and often unseen ways, show immense strength, resilience, and compassion. This beggar woman, forgotten by society, gave everything she could to protect someone more vulnerable than herself. In her, I saw the true spirit of womanhood—selflessness, dignity, and grace in the face of adversity.

29 comments:

  1. Deeply touching story of the woman's selflessness. Despite her own hardships, she cared for a vulnerable orphan, showing that true wealth is found in kindness and compassion. This narrative beautifully captures the essence of Women's Day, honoring the quiet strength and empathy that often go unnoticed.

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  2. It is a great story. Very real and most thought provoking. Makes the heart swell . Superb👌🏽

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  3. ☝🏽It's from. Meka

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  4. The last paragraph speaks volumes. You have noted it down well. 👏👏👏👏

    Chitra

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  5. That old woman is an angel.

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  6. Touching story, appropriate for Women's Day! As someone me, the best celebration for the day would be when we no longer need to celebrate it!

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  7. What lessons to be learnt - TRUE grace and compassion are the real assets. That this should come from an underprivileged woman makes it that much more poignant. Finally, of course, that this should be told on the occasion of the Women's Day is but only one of the many feathers in the writer's cap! I bow to this brilliance

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  8. Touching story. One is able to vividly imagine the story as it unfolds, which is a trademark of the author just as are his twists.

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  9. Moved by this flowing tribute from the writer on the Women’s Day.

    From the character of the old woman, so tenderly created by the writer, one could indeed come to know of the true meaning of dignity.

    On this very special day, not only to all the women of the world, I also wish to express my deepest regards to the writer, who has seen the world through his benign vision.

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  10. A truly touching story, The old woman was indeed angel who in spite being so needy has put the interests of the more needy above hers. The concluding paragraph is profound and highlighted your thought process.

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  11. Very good and touching post. They humble us by their attitude. It is women like the old beggar woman who needs to be feted today, not the rich and famous. Also, such selfless women expose the socialites who hold seminars and public meetings demanding silly and frivolous 'rights' for the already empowered women. I have done a post on my views. -- Thangam

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  12. Well written. The story is very relatable. We see so many unsung heroes like this. Super

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  13. KP Sir! loved your views on Women’s self-respect , be they rich or poor, expressed beautifully in your concluding remark, “This beggar woman, forgotten by society, gave everything she could to protect someone more vulnerable than herself.….!!

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  14. Very true. Many times we forget real strength& grace and think power & achievement equals strength and celebrate only the powerful women on this day !

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  15. Excellent Sir...I am drenched in the emotion you created

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  16. Amazing story- so humane and enriching. You never stop surprising with your nuggets

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  17. A very touching story. The compassionate and empathetic attitude of the old woman touches the heart.

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  18. As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others."—Audrey Hepburn. The old lady proves herself in this poignant story, and our master storyteller teaches us a new lesson in inimitable style every time.

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  19. What a great story! Makes one feel both touched and ashamed.-- Arvind Rajan

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  20. Not all heroes wear capes. There are real gems in plain sight. Truly amazing story. Thank you.

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  21. A lovely story that touched my heart. These two sentences capture the essence:
    “It stuck me that dignity isn’t associated with wealth or status.”
    “I realized that true wealth isn’t measured by what we possess, but by the kindness we extend to others.”
    Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Kindly leave your name at the end of the comment in future.

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  22. Touching story and great learning. Actually my schoolmate Asit shared this story with me and we were debating empathy/ compassion is innate or learned. Thanks .....Amit Basu

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  23. These are not to be considered as story. At least some wherever sometimes such generous human beings exists. Your writing may open the eyes of some people to start the art of giving/ gifting to the needy hapless people around us. Regards PKR

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  24. Very touching story. Good message there.

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  25. The real empowerment so beautifully articulated here!

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  26. Very touching and food for thought. It's not always about material wealth. It's that humility and strength of character that's important whether there is material wealth or not.👌👌

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